Advertising (Part 1)

Ads are everywhere—in our phones, on buses, and even on TV! Some are fun and eye-catching, while others really get on our nerves. In this dialogue, Mike and Tom share which ads they like and dislike. Go ahead and start practising!

Learning Flow in This Unit:

1. Understand – listen to a dialogue and learn key vocabulary
2. Practice – complete vocabulary exercises
3. Use – apply the vocabulary in speaking and writing tasks
4. Check – see the answers below the exercises

📖 Stage 1 – Understand the Vocabulary

1️⃣ Listening for the main idea

Read and listen to the dialogue below and answer the questions.

1. What type of advertising does Mike consider his least favorite, and what are his reasons for disliking it?

2. Which type of advertising does Tom prefer, and what reasons does he give for his preference?

3. What commonality do Mike and Tom share in their least favorite types of advertising, and why do they find them objectionable?

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Mike: Hey Tom, have you ever thought about which types of ads you find the most and least appealing?

Tom: Huh, I haven’t really thought about it much. What made you bring it up?

Mike: Well, I was just thinking about those ads we see everywhere and how some of them really get on my nerves, you know?

Tom: Yeah, I get what you mean. So, what’s your least favorite type of ad then?

Mike: Definitely telemarketing. I can’t stand those unsolicited phone calls trying to sell me stuff I don’t need. It’s like they’re invading my personal space.

Tom: Oh, I couldn’t agree more! It’s so irritating, especially when they call during dinner or when you’re busy.

Mike: Exactly! And it’s not like they ever take no for an answer.

Tom: Yeah, they’re relentless. On the flip side, what about your favorite type of ad?

Mike: I think I quite like transit advertising. You know, those ads you see on buses or trains? They’re usually pretty eye-catching, and since I’m already on the move, I don’t mind taking a look.

Tom: Yeah, I see what you mean. They’re like little distractions during your commute.

Mike: Exactly! Plus, they often showcase local events or businesses, which I think is pretty cool.

Tom: Makes sense. For me, I think my least favorite type of ad would have to be covert advertising. You know, when they sneakily promote a product or brand within movies or TV shows?

Mike: Oh yeah, I know what you’re talking about. It can feel so manipulative, like they’re trying to trick you into buying something without even realizing it.

Tom: Exactly! It just feels sneaky and dishonest.

Mike: And what about your favorite type of ad?

Tom: I think I’d have to go with sponsorship. You know, when a brand sponsors a sports event or a music festival? I feel like those ads are more integrated into the experience, and they often support something I enjoy.

Mike: Ah, I see what you mean. It’s like they’re adding value to something you already like, rather than interrupting it.

Tom: Exactly! So, even though ads can be annoying, I guess there are some types that are more tolerable than others.

Mike: Yeah, definitely. It’s all about finding the ones that resonate with you and avoiding the ones that don’t.

2️⃣ Listening for details

Read the dialogue once again and decide if the statements below are True (T) or False (F).

1. Mike often thinks about different types of advertisements and their effects.

2. Tom says he has already spent a lot of time thinking about which ads he likes or dislikes.

3. Mike finds telemarketing ads very annoying.

4. Mike feels that telemarketing calls respect people’s privacy.

5. Tom agrees that telemarketing calls can be irritating, especially during dinner.

6. Mike says telemarketers usually stop calling after people refuse their offers.

7. Mike enjoys transit advertising because it catches his attention while he is traveling.

8. Mike mentions that transit ads sometimes promote local events or businesses.

9. Tom says his least favorite type of advertising is transit advertising.

10. Tom dislikes covert advertising because he feels it is manipulative.

11. Tom likes sponsorship advertising because it often supports events he enjoys.

12. Mike believes all advertisements are equally annoying.

3️⃣ Vocabulary matching

Based on the dialogue, match the expressions on the left with their definitions on the right:

1. appealing	A. advertising placed on buses, trains, or in public transportation areas
2.  get on my nerves	B. very noticeable or attractive; easy to see
3. telemarketing	C. trying to control or influence people in an unfair way
4. unsolicited	D. continuing without stopping or giving up
5. invading one’s personal space	E. secretly promoting a product inside entertainment such as movies or TV shows
6. take no for an answer	F. annoying someone a lot
7. relentless	G. reasonably acceptable, even if not perfect
8. on the flip side	H. selling products or services by calling people on the phone
9. transit advertising	I. given without being asked for
10. eye-catching	J. to advertise or encourage people to buy something
11. on the move	K. dishonest or done secretly in order to trick people
12. covert advertising	L. when a company supports an event or activity in exchange for promotion
13. promote a product	M. when something connects strongly with someone’s feelings or interests
14. manipulative	N. to refuse to accept someone’s rejection
15. sneaky	O. the opposite side of a situation or argument
16. sponsorship	P. attractive or interesting
17. integrated into	Q. becoming part of something so that it feels natural
18. tolerable	R. moving or traveling from place to place
19. resonate with	S. disturbing someone’s privacy or personal boundaries

 

✏️ Stage 2 – Practice the Vocabulary

4️⃣ Gap fill 

Use the words from Exercise 3 to fill in the gaps. Use each word once. Choose the word that best fits the meaning and grammar of the sentence.

1. Many people dislike __________ because companies call them directly to sell products.

2. I find those bright posters on buses very __________ because they immediately attract my attention.

3. When strangers send __________ emails or messages, people often feel annoyed.

4. Telemarketers sometimes refuse to __________ and continue calling even after you say you are not interested.

5. Some advertisements during sports events are part of __________, where companies support the event financially.

6. Ads on buses and subway stations are known as __________.

7. Some viewers dislike __________ because products are secretly promoted in movies or TV shows.

8. Ads that are dishonest or try to psychologically influence people can feel __________.

9. A brand might __________ by paying influencers or placing ads online.

10. When ads are naturally __________ a movie or event, people may find them less annoying.

11. A very pushy salesperson who never stops trying can be described as __________.

12. If something constantly annoys you, you might say it really __________.

13. Many commuters notice ads because they are already __________ during their daily journey.

14. A good advertisement should __________ the audience and connect with their interests.

15. Some advertisements are not great, but they are still __________ and people can accept them.

16. When someone stands too close or interrupts your privacy, it may feel like they are __________.

17. The opposite perspective in a discussion can be introduced with the phrase __________.

18. Some advertising techniques are __________ because they try to trick people without being obvious.

19. Ads that look interesting or attractive can be described as __________.

5️⃣ Collocations exercise

Complete the phrases with the correct word from the list:

appealing • telemarketing • unsolicited • eye-catching • covert • manipulative • transit • personal • sponsorship • resonate

1. ________ calls
2. ________ emails or messages
3. ________ advertising
4. ________ advertising (ads on buses or trains)
5. ________ design
6. ________ behaviour
7. ________ advertising in movies or TV shows
8. ________ space
9. brand ________
10. ________ with the audience
11. visually ________ advertisements
12. aggressive ________ tactics

6️⃣ Word forms exercise

Complete the table using the correct word form. Fill in the missing verb, noun, adjective, or adverb forms of the words.

Then complete the sentences using the correct word form.

Verb	Adverb	Adjective	Noun
promote
manipulate
sponsor
appeal
integrate

1. Many companies try to __________ their products through social media influencers.
2. Some advertisements rely on emotional __________ to persuade customers.
3. The company became the main __________ of the music festival.
4. Bright colours and creative images can make an advertisement more __________.
5. When advertising is naturally __________ into a movie, viewers may not notice it immediately.
6. Some marketers use psychological techniques to __________ consumer behaviour.
7. The advertisement was designed __________ to attract young audiences.
8. The brand gained a lot of visibility through its event __________.

7️⃣ Paraphrasing / sentence transformation

Rewrite the sentences using the word in brackets.

Keep the same meaning, but change the structure of the sentence.

This exercise helps you learn different ways to express the same idea, which is essential for IELTS success.

1. Telemarketing calls really annoy me.
(get on my nerves)

2. Some advertisements secretly promote products in movies.
(covert)

3. Many people dislike advertisements that interrupt their personal time.
(invading)

4. Some companies advertise their products on buses and trains.
(transit advertising)

5. Some advertisements are attractive and immediately catch people’s attention.
(eye-catching)

6. Certain ads try to influence people in an unfair or dishonest way.
(manipulative)

7. Some brands support sports events to promote themselves.
(sponsorship)

8. Advertisements are sometimes included naturally in movies or TV shows.
(integrated into)

9. Some advertisements connect well with the audience’s interests and feelings.
(resonate with)

10. Although some ads are annoying, they are still acceptable to many people.
(tolerable)

8️⃣ Error correction

Each sentence contains one mistake. The mistake may be related to vocabulary, grammar, or word form. Rewrite the sentence correctly.

This exercise helps you improve accuracy and natural vocabulary use.

1. Telemarketing are one of the most annoying forms of advertising.

2. Many people dislike unsolicited calls because they feel like invading their personal space.

3. Some companies use covert advertisement in movies and TV shows.

4. These advertisements are very eye-catch and easy to notice.

5. On the flip side of, some ads can be creative and entertaining.

6. Many brands sponsor for sports events to promote their products.

7. Some advertisements try to manipulative consumers emotionally.

8. Transit advertising appear on buses, trains, and subway stations.

9. Some advertisements resonate to young audiences more than others.

10. Although many people dislike ads, some of them are still tolerate.

🗣️ Stage 3 – Use the Vocabulary

9️⃣ IELTS Speaking tasks.

Practice using new vocabulary in IELTS Speaking Parts 1-2-3:

Answer the questions using vocabulary from this unit.

Part 1 (4-5 minutes):

1. What is your name? /give your full name as per your ID/
2. What shall I call you?
3. Can I see your ID, please?

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1. Do you work or study?
2. Where do you work/ study?
3. Do you enjoy your time there?
4. How could your work/ student life be improved?

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1. Do you usually celebrate your birthday? Why or why not?
2. How did you celebrate your last birthday?
3. Do you think adults should celebrate their birthdays with a party?
4. Should kids have a birthday celebration at home and in school?

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1. Why are so many things advertised these days?
2. How do you feel about advertisements?
3. Have you ever bought something after watching an ad?
4. How often do ads affect your choices?

Part 2 (2-3 minutes):

Describe an advertisement that left a strong impression on you.

You should say:

• What the advertisement was for
• Where you saw it
• What made it memorable or effective
• How it made you feel or think

You should speak for 2 minutes.

Part 3 (5-6 minutes):

Answer the following questions. Give reasons and examples.

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Advertising and Society

1. Why do companies spend so much money on advertising?
2. Do you think covert advertising is ethical? Why or why not?
3. In what ways can advertisements be manipulative?
4. Why do some advertisements resonate with people more than others?
5. Do you think sponsorship of sports or music events is an effective form of advertising?
6. Are traditional advertisements (TV, billboards) becoming less effective today?

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Advertising in the Future

1. How do you think advertising will change in the future?
2. Do you think people will become more resistant to advertising?
3. Should governments regulate advertising more strictly?

🔟 IELTS Writing tasks

Task 1: Write at least 150 words. You have 20 minutes to plan – write – proofread your task.

You recently bought a product online, but it did not meet your expectations. Write a letter to the company.

• Suggest what the company could do to resolve the problem
• Describe the product and why you bought it
• Explain why you are disappointed (e.g., misleading advertising, poor quality)

Task 2: Write at least 250 words. You have 40 minutes to plan – write – proofread your task. 

Some people believe that advertising has a negative effect on society, encouraging people to buy things they do not need. Others think that advertising is useful because it provides information about new products and services.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

ANSWERS

EXERCISE 1:

Mike considers telemarketing his least favorite type of advertising. He dislikes it because the phone calls are unsolicited, feel like an invasion of his personal space, and the callers are often relentless and do not take “no” for an answer, especially when they call during inconvenient times such as dinner.

2. Tom prefers sponsorship advertising. He likes it because brands support events he enjoys, such as sports events or music festivals, and the advertising feels naturally integrated into the experience rather than interrupting it.

3. Both Mike and Tom dislike types of advertising that feel intrusive or manipulative. Mike dislikes telemarketing because it interrupts his personal time, while Tom dislikes covert advertising because it sneakily promotes products within movies or TV shows, making it feel dishonest and manipulative.

EXERCISE 2:

True 2. False 3. True 4. False 5. True 6. False 7. True 8. True 9. False 10. True 11. True 12. False

EXERCISE 3:

1 — P 2 — F 3 — H 4 — I 5 — S 6 — N 7 — D 8 — O 9 — A 10 — B 11 — R 12 — E 13 — J 14 — C 15 — K 16 — L 17 — Q 18 — G 19 — M

EXERCISE 4:

1. telemarketing 2. eye-catching 3. unsolicited 4. take no for an answer 5. sponsorship 6. transit advertising 7. covert advertising 8. manipulative 9. promote a product 10. integrated into 11. relentless 12. get on my nerves 13. on the move 14. resonate with 15. tolerable 16. invading my personal space 17. on the flip side 18. sneaky 19. appealing

EXERCISE 5:

1. telemarketing calls
2. unsolicited emails or messages
3. appealing advertising
4. transit advertising
5. eye-catching design
6. manipulative behaviour
7. covert advertising
8. personal space
9. brand sponsorship
10. resonate with the audience

EXERCISE 6:

Verb	Adverb	Adjective	Noun
promote	promotionally	promotional	promotion
manipulate	manipulatively	manipulative	manipulation
sponsor	sponsorably*	sponsored	sponsorship a sponsor
appeal	appealingly	appealing	appeal
integrate	integratively	integrated	integration

*Note: “sponsorably” is rarely used; in real English people usually say “through sponsorship” instead.

1. promote
2. manipulation
3. sponsor
4. appealing
5. integrated
6. manipulate
7. promotionally
8. sponsorship

EXERCISE 7:

1. Telemarketing calls get on my nerves.

2. Some movies contain covert advertising.

3. Many people dislike ads that feel like they are invading their personal space.

4. Some companies use transit advertising to promote their products.

5. Some advertisements are very eye-catching.

6. Certain ads use manipulative techniques to influence people.

7. Some brands promote themselves through sponsorship of sports events.

8. Advertisements are sometimes integrated into movies or TV shows.

9. Some advertisements resonate with the audience.

10. Although some ads are annoying, they are still tolerable for many people.

EXERCISE 8:

1. Telemarketing is one of the most annoying forms of advertising.

2. Many people dislike unsolicited calls because they feel like they are invading their personal space.

3. Some companies use covert advertising in movies and TV shows.

4. These advertisements are very eye-catching and easy to notice.

5. On the flip side, some ads can be creative and entertaining.

6. Many brands sponsor sports events to promote their products.

7. Some advertisements try to manipulate consumers emotionally.

8. Transit advertising appears on buses, trains, and subway stations.

9. Some advertisements resonate with young audiences more than others.

10. Although many people dislike ads, some of them are still tolerable.